Simon Ward
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Looking back on a successful writing career. How has your opinion of your first book changed? Please join Madeline Miller, Kami Garcia, Alessandre Torre, who among others, have also been invited to contribute to my article and share their thoughts about their first book.
Lois McMaster Bujold
I'm not really sure what you are asking for. For some writers, I expect first books recede into the dim mists of time and memory as an increasingly vague blur. The continuing series that Shards of Honor launched in 1986, the need for proofreading reprints of various kinds over the years, and new reviews from readers still just now discovering it has kept it relatively fresh in my mind.
It's... OK, I guess? At this point, 36 years on from first publication (40 from first starting to write it), I'm pretty sure of its survival in the marketplace, so I no longer feel much need to defend it as a covertly-economically-anxious new writer struggling to hold a spot on bookstore shelves. The kids'll be all right, as some song fragment puts it.
The characters from the book still seem to be finding life in some unknown number of readers' minds, which is the only kind of life they can have. So, all good.
Ta, L.
It's... OK, I guess? At this point, 36 years on from first publication (40 from first starting to write it), I'm pretty sure of its survival in the marketplace, so I no longer feel much need to defend it as a covertly-economically-anxious new writer struggling to hold a spot on bookstore shelves. The kids'll be all right, as some song fragment puts it.
The characters from the book still seem to be finding life in some unknown number of readers' minds, which is the only kind of life they can have. So, all good.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Kosigan
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
On a re-listen of the Vorkosigan audiobooks recently, I noticed a 1-line reference to the tunnels under Vorbarr Sultana that were used to such great effect in Captain Vorpatril's Alliance - which was written about 20 years later. This got me to wondering: how much research of your own work is (was) involved in preparing for a new entry in a series that has been written over such a length of time?
Carro
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I was just thinking about Alys Vorpatril - admiring her regal air and outstanding competence - it occurred to me that she first appears as Lady Alys, already married, and I cannot think of any mention of her immediate family. Are there highly competent and scary sisters somewhere else on Barrayar? Also Ivan is related to the Vorrutyers - does that mean her maiden name was Vorrutyer?
Pam Mclaughlin
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
I was rereading the Penric books, and started wondering how the World of the 5 Gods would look in a modern or futuristic setting. Have you considering taking the series out of their medieval/Renaissance setting? Would Des be kicking around in the head of a space navy officer? (i'm rather enchanted by that idea, by the way)
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